At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage IT contracts and drive value from suppliers while enhancing contract management capabilities.
- Company: Dynamic university with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: 42 days holiday, generous pension, health perks, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a vibrant campus environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a world-class organisation and shape the future of IT services.
- Qualifications: Experience in contract management and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
This role will be based on the university campus with scope for it to be undertaken in a hybrid manner. We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements.
Are you an experienced and influential individual with experience of embedding and improving a professional IT contracts management capability? Are you focussed on driving outcomes from contracts, leading and delivering value from a range of IT contracts across strategic and operational suppliers? In addition to IT's strategy to deliver a step‑change in the quality and value of the IT Service, the University Executive have ambitious investment plans to transform the processes and services across Student Education, Corporate Services, and other key areas of the University. The contracting and supplier management capabilities of the IT Service are key to driving the value of these programmes and ensuring the delivery of the outcomes required of our partners and suppliers.
Responsibilities
- Working with stakeholders across all levels of IT and the wider university, including significant engagement with Procurement, Finance and Legal teams.
- You will play a pivotal role in re‑shaping and embedding an enhanced Contract and Supplier Management capability, ensuring the successful delivery of services from third‑party suppliers throughout the full contract lifecycle, as well as supporting the wider change portfolio and delivery of IT services.
- You will play a significant role in the development of a structured supplier management approach, and lead on its roll out across IT Services.
- You will ensure suppliers are actively managed to deliver contractual commitments in‑line with the university's strategic goals, driving value, innovation, and continuous service improvement.
- You will establish clear performance regimes, governance forums, and relationship management practices to ensure suppliers operate as trusted partners aligned to university priorities.
- As an IT Contract Manager, you will also oversee and be responsible for supporting the engagement with IT's strategic partnerships, working directly with change programmes and services across a large portfolio of suppliers, and ensuring the effective end‑to‑end management of IT contracts.
If you thrive on working in a complex environment, where your ability to navigate contractual risks and issues are as developed as your skills in supplier relationship management, this is an exciting opportunity for you to build a capability from the ground up, and make a real difference in a world class organisation.
Benefits
- 26 days holiday plus approx. 16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That's 42 days a year
- Generous pension scheme plus life assurance
- Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state‑of‑the‑art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls
- Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team
- On‑site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available
- And much more!
Contract Manager in Leeds employer: University of Leeds
As a leading university, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a supportive and dynamic work culture. With flexible working arrangements and a strong focus on employee growth, we offer generous benefits including 42 days of holiday, a robust pension scheme, and access to state-of-the-art facilities. Join us in making a meaningful impact within a world-class organisation, where your contributions will drive innovation and enhance the educational experience for our students.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contract Manager in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how important it is to make those personal connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the university's IT services and their strategic goals. We want you to show that you understand their vision and how you can contribute to it. Tailor your responses to highlight your experience in contract management and supplier relationships.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You never know when an opportunity might arise, so be ready to explain who you are and what you bring to the table in a concise and engaging way. We recommend rehearsing with friends or using online tools to refine your delivery.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s get you that Contract Manager role!
We think you need these skills to ace Contract Manager in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Contract Manager role. Highlight your experience with IT contracts and supplier management, and don’t forget to showcase any achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive value and outcomes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific examples of how you've improved contract management capabilities in the past and how you can contribute to our ambitious goals.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills:Since this role involves working with various stakeholders, make sure to highlight your experience in engaging with teams like Procurement, Finance, and Legal. Share examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated with different departments to achieve common goals.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Leeds
✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the types of IT contracts relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with key terms, common pitfalls, and best practices in contract management. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also demonstrate your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Since this role involves working closely with various stakeholders, prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with different teams in the past. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively with Procurement, Finance, and Legal teams, as well as how you’ve driven outcomes through collaboration.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced in contract management and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, showcasing your analytical skills and ability to navigate contractual risks.
✨Align with the University's Strategic Goals
Research the university's strategic priorities and think about how your experience can contribute to these goals. Be prepared to discuss how you would drive value and innovation from suppliers, ensuring that your vision aligns with the university's ambitions for transformation.
